Indians to host new all-star game in 2015

The Spokane Indians and the Northwest League are taking a pioneering approach to the league’s 2015 all-star game.

The Indians announced Tuesday that they’ll host the league’s fourth All-Star Game on Aug. 4 at Avista Stadium, although with a revamped format. NWL All-Stars will meet their counterparts from the eight-team Pioneer League in the first meeting between the leagues.

The eight-team Pioneer, a rookie league, features four teams from Montana – Billings, Missoula, Great Falls and Helena – Ogden and Orem from Utah, Idaho Falls and Grand Junction, Colorado.

“Hosting a regional event of this magnitude within our community is an honor for the Spokane Indians and Avista Stadium,” Indians senior vice president Otto Klein said. “We can’t wait to give our fans, and the league’s fans, the Spokane all-star experience.”

Spokane hosted the league’s first All-Star Game in 2004, to commemorate the NWL’s 50th anniversary. The game returned last season with Everett as host and continued this season in Eugene.

“When the Northwest League reintroduced the All-Star Game in 2013, I never thought we would take it to the next level so quickly,” NWL president Mike Ellis said. “It will be exciting to watch so many young future stars of Major League Baseball competing in Spokane next August.”